Bone Grafting

BEFORE YOUR BONE GRAFTING SURGERY

To prepare for your bone grafting surgery and to ensure your comfort and the best possible result, please follow the recommendations of your oral surgeon:


Medication

  • Inform your surgeon of any medications or natural products you are taking.
  • If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them according to the instructions.
    • Women who are using birth control pills and taking antibiotics, are advised to use an additional method of birth control as antibiotics will lessen the effectiveness of the oral contraceptives.
  • Do not use aspirin or tablets containing aspirin during the week before your surgery.
  • If you will be receiving intravenous medication or “sedation” to help you relax and ease any discomfort.
    • You should eat a light meal consisting of broth, tea or Jell-O which should be taken at least than six hours before your appointment.
    • If your surgeon has asked you to take medication before your surgery, take it with a small quantity of water one hour before your appointment.
    • DO NOT take any other medications on the day of your surgery without first consulting with your surgeon.


Dress

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing to make you more comfortable. Short sleeve shirts or blouses are preferred.


Transportation

  • Plan to have a responsible adult accompany and drive you home, as you should not drive for 12-24 hours following your bone graft surgery.

AFTER YOUR BONE GRAFTING SURGERY

If your bone graft procedure was performed under general anesthesia you may be required to stay in hospital overnight. If you received local or intravenous sedation, you may rest for short while in the office following your bone graft surgery and then return home. If you were given a medication to make you sleepy you must not drive for 12 to 24 hours afterwards. You should bring someone with you to take you home. Please follow the instructions below regarding what to eat and how to care for your mouth after the procedure:


Medication

  • If you have been prescribed antibiotics and pain medication take them as recommended. Antibiotics are not routinely given and their use is limited to particular situations. Please follow the instructions given on the bottle carefully. Start you pain medication as soon as you return home before the freezing completely wears off. If your surgeon anticipates that you will experience a significant amount of discomfort after a surgery, he or she will recommend that you take the pain medication at regular 6-hour intervals regardless of whether you are in discomfort for the first 24 hours. After this time, you should take pain medication as needed.
  • Some pain medication will make your feel sleepy, so it is advised that you do not drive or operate machinery.


Head position

  • If possible, use an extra pillow for the first two nights after your surgery to help reduce swelling.


Bleeding

  • You can expect some bleeding in the 24-48 hours after you surgery. Place gauze squares folded in four on the bleeding area and bite down, applying firm pressure for 20 minutes. Change the gauze as it becomes soaked with blood. Avoid splitting and this may promote bleeding.


Swelling

  • After bone grafting surgery, there is often swelling of the face and at times, bruising of the skin. Be assured that this is a normal part of the recovery process.
  • Hold an ice pack to your face (30 minutes on and 30 minutes off) for the first 48 hours to reduce the swelling. You can expect the swelling be greatest within 24-48 hours after surgery. Swelling can last for 7-10 days. If the swelling disappears and then returns a few days later, please contact your surgeon immediately. This may be an indication of an infection.

Nutrition

  • Eat a light diet including soft foods such as yogurt, soup, milk products and Jell-O for the first few days.
  • Avoid hot food and do not use a straw as this may lead to bleeding.
  • After you get home on the day of your bone grafting surgery, it is essential that you drink a lot of fluids. Take a sip of any non-alcoholic beverage every 15-20 minutes. Examples of appropriate fluid include dairy products, fruit or vegetable juices and mineral water.


Smoking

  • Patient should be advised that smoking immediately before or within one month of a bone graft surgery may significantly increase the risk of wound infection of the graft.


Hygiene

  • Optimal healing after your implant surgery requires that you keep your teeth and mouth clean. This also diminishes the chance of infection.
  • You may brush your teeth as usual EXCEPT the area of the bone grafting surgery. You will be instructed to use a special mouth wash to keep healing area clean. Brushing of a bone graft site within the first week of surgery may induce bleeding and discomfort. Avoid commercial mouthwashes as they contain alcohol and can initate the surgical site.
  • Gentle toothbrushing of the teeth and surgical site can be resumed within 7-10 days after surgery using a soft brush
  • Starting the day after surgery, a salt water rinse (1 teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water) should be used after meals and before bedtime.


Pressure

  • Try not to put pressure on your jaw.

Stitches

  • Dissolving stitches are used for most operations. These normally begin to fall out after three to four days.


Dentures or Prosthesis

  • It is important that you do not wear your old dentures or temporary prosthesis until your surgeon advises you to do so. They may require adjustment or relining. If they are inserted too early this could interfere with the healing process.


Activity

  • Avoid any activities or sports in which you could receive an injury to your mouth or jaw.


Follow-up Appointments

  • Our office coordinator will set up an appointment for you within 10 to 14 after your surgery for you so that your surgeon can check on how you are healing.


Contact our office immediately at 514-931-7077 if you experience:

  • A lot of swelling under the tongue or around the face and neck
  • Continuous bleeding
  • Jaw or mouth pain that does not stop after you take the pain medication you have been given.
  • Fever (greater than 38.5°C)
  • Numbness after the anesthetic has worn off.


Questions

  • If you have any questions or problems, call our office (514) 931-7707 and we will be pleased to help you.
  • In emergency situations, you may reach Dr. Chehade or one of the members of his team directly by calling the office number (514) 931-7707 and following the instructions provided by the answering service.